— OUR LEGACY —

The Story of
Madres & Artesanas

A journey of heritage, hands, and heart. From the highlands of Bolivia to the world's most distinguished runways.
Mujeres tejiendo en comunidad

The Leap Of Faith

In 2003, Yelka Maric held two advanced degrees—a Bachelor's in Business Administration and a Master's from the prestigious INCAE Business School in Costa Rica. She had built a successful career in banking and hydrocarbons. And yet, she walked away.

Driven by a deeper calling, she envisioned something entirely different: a business that would develop high-quality, handmade knitwear using natural fibers like alpaca, blended with angora and silk. It was a return to her roots, to the textures and traditions of her homeland, and the beginning of TERRALTA'S EW S.R.L.—the company that would one day become Madres & Artesanas Tex.

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The Moment Everything Changed

For a full year, Yelka searched for international markets, making contacts, knocking on doors. Then came a blessing: a successful North American businesswoman discovered the work of Yelka's craftswomen and, without expecting anything in return, introduced their skills to designers in New York.

That connection led to something extraordinary. In 2007, the workshop completed its first order for one of America's most iconic brands: the high-quality, high-priced Blue Label line of Polo Ralph Lauren. The company—now renamed Madres & Artesanas Tex—reoriented its entire philosophy toward the "private label" market.

Soon, contracts followed with Diane Von Furstenberg, Nicole Miller, Lutz & Patmos, and other renowned New York designers. The workshop began producing limited-edition pieces—some with as few as 30 copies in existence worldwide.

“We are not preserving the past. We are weaving the future, one thread at a time.”

— Yelka Maric, Founder
Manos tejiendo en telar

The Story Behind the Stitches

As the mini-businesses grew, so did Yelka's understanding of the women who powered them. Many arrived with telltale signs of physical abuse, abandonment, sadness, and desperation. A divorced mother herself, Yelka recognized their experiences—the shared desire to create better opportunities for their children, the persistent vision that bridges borders, age differences, and beliefs.

In the spirit of true inclusion, the workshops became more than workplaces. They became sanctuaries where women could bring their children. This was the beginning of something far greater than a knitwear company.

Meet Our Team

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Maria Condori, Assistant manager

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Hilda Mujica, Adniminstrative Assistant

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Teodora Achiago, Workshop Head

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Tomasa Quisbert, Workshop Head

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Carla Paye, Workshop Head